FOR MEN MAGAZINE / CRAIG’S LIST X CRAIG MONTS (FARMINGTON2017)

The aim of this monthly column is to provide you, the avid reader, with a slice of that extra fresh material. A hefty, and yet digestible wedge of raw & uncut goodness from the vast shores of the ever-expanding Internet. I have a deep love for all things outsider and progressive. My weekly Radio1 (Prague) show with DJ Tuco is a 2-hour long musical sprint, full of lesser-known tracks from around the world. My style is genre-less and knows no pigeon-holes. My borderline addiction to style/fashion vlogs, second-hand shopping (thrifting) has lead me to this point. I’m a wealth of street wear knowledge stemming from my time back in the UK working as a menswear buyer, event promoter, sneaker sales assistant and general man about town (Basingstoke!).

I’ll provide you with the heads-up on new progressive brands, illustrators and musicians through this regular column. Giving you that all-important cultural head-start. The perfect cocktail party ice-breakers that will have your peers in awe of your rare slithers of information. With that said, lets get started!

Grind London have bust back onto the scene after the heady-highs of their AW2016 “International Sweetboys” collection with its embroidered roses, muted pastel hues or hound tooth trousers. Grind London never disappoint their recent “Euro Trash” collection is a true joy to behold. They’ve managed to hit the nail on the head by providing the discerning dresser with “road-ready” menswear, mixing original concepts and the many elements of London’s sub-culture. The t-shirts feature minimal slogans, palm trees and their trademark muted pastel colour-ways for hooded tops and high-contrast 80’s imagery for their t shirts.

I’m a huge fan of the brand not only for their vibesy aesthetic but also for their unwavering attention to quality and detail. The SS17 collection holds some absolute gems, short-sleeved shirting from Egyptian cotton, subtle all-over-prints and/or rockabilly prints. It’s pleasing to see the brand continue on the righteous path with forward-looking designs using the best hand-sourced materials from around the world. I’d also recommend checking out the Grind London Soundcloud page where they occasionally post up a dope mix for your listening pleasure. Thanks!

Staying in the Big Smoke (London) I’m pleased to shed light on the capital’s most militant brand: TM SPORTING GOODS. The Terra Malitia movement recently dropped new garments with their characteristically militaristic emblems, crossed swords and eagles. TM SPORTING GOODS have been around for a while. The brand has carefully carved out a niche in the street wear market, working with the very best of the UK grime and hip hop scene. When I say “working with” I mean Instagram shots of 67 & D Double E looking mildly irate. Either way, they make some great garments and even better Instagram stories. Pricey items but rare in numbers with a limited run of each garment, which is always better.

Things are moving at the constant break-neck speed on the other side of the pond with the usual large amount of releases & collaborations. Relatively established & traditional brands jostle for the limelight with the younger start-ups. Brands like Converse (whom I love) have done little to change the original silhouette of say the Chuck Taylor but focused on improving very small details, introducing new colour ways and materials which in turn breathe a new lease of life to a universally recognised product. CONS latest offerings for the European market are both practical & vibrant (a great combination!). Something for the sharp dresser? Perhaps the Chuck Taylor All Star 70′ Embroidered Dots.

The bold black polka dot reworking of the original All Star 1970 sneakers with the aforementioned modern improvements i.e. higher rubber outsole and a padded insole for more comfort. For those wanting a more inconspicuous look CONS have the stone-cold classic Chuck Taylor All Star Hi II. A Comfortable & timelessly stylish silhouette, which is both a versatile & adaptable shoe that will always remain in my all-time favourites.

Sportswear giants Nike have release their polarising Nike Air Vapormax. Heralded as Nike’s most advanced shoe to date, The Vapormax is instantly recognisable from its unique sole. The lightweight & flexible sneaker has captivated the internets and sneaker-heads alike. I for one am a fan. At the very least, from a design and innovation perspective, I’m happy to see that Nike are brave enough to go against the current sneaker trends. Andreas Harlow, VP and Creative Director of Footwear Design for Nike Running spoke on this subject via the Vapormax site saying, “From a design perspective, we have a goal to create a simple, elegant solution.” I have to admit that I like the Vapormax more with each colour-way I encounter. Sail-Black, Wolf Grey-Pure Platinum (classic), Orbit/Blue Orbit-Glacier Blu, College Navy, Midnight Fog & Cargo-Khaki-Desert Moss the list goes on. Its always good to see Nike getting back to their high school basketball output, literally flooding the market with a plethora of colour ways, some more limited than others.

I’ll also be providing musical tips within the lines of this monthly column as I feel that music & fashion go hand in hand. It’s often said that dressing well is a form of politeness. If that’s true (which I believe it is) then listening to good music is the ultimate form of self-indulgence, self-indulgence that should be celebrated. And there’s plenty to celebrate!

Maybe an album of Chinese hip hop from the mighty Higher Brothers? The 4-man crew who’ve worked tirelessly from their 88RISING online-base release their debut album for the masses. The 14-track project entitled “Black Cab” finds the quartet in high spirits with the heaviest, bass-filled beats from the Brothers.

Higher Brothers x Bohan Phoenix – No Hook (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)

Unfortunately, I don’t speak a word of Chinese, but I can feel it in my bones, MaSiWei, Psy.P, DZ & Melo are going to be big. Hailing from the south-western city of Chengdu in mainland China the guys have gradually grown their fan-base with quality visuals from the 88RISING camp. Take a sneak peek at the 88RISING Youtube page, it’s an overflowing treasure trove of Chinese content from the Chinese-American 88RISING team. The channel seems to serve as a platform for dope artists such as Dean, Keith Ape, Rich Chigga, JoJi and others to get their content out.

J Worthy (LNDN DRGS) & Alchemist’s collaborative “Fantasy Island” project dropped a few days back. It’s a quality project with everything from the track-titles, to the vocal features to the album artwork receiving my stamp of approval. Hip hop producer, Alchemist is well-known for his intricate production & eccentric sample selection. Famed for his collaborative projects with the likes of Action Bronson, Prodigy and Oh No (Gangrene). Al’s beats are butter smooth with luxurious layers that will have you reaching for the Piña colada & Espadrilles.

The UK’s Brownswood recordings have released a rework of Max Roach’s 1960’s avant-garde civil rights protest song, “All Africa”. The 2017 rework with vocals from UK songstress Zara McFarlane is a sonic-joy. Zara’s crystal clear vocals lay perfectly over the newly re-recorded live percussion. “All Africa” is a beautiful piece of poignant music that should be supported. You can purchase from Brownswood Recordings from 7th July.

Staying with the UK, London-based producer JD. Reid’s EDITS + BEATS VOL. 2 is a free download that you should definitely seek out. Reid has been a part of the UK scene for a while. Providing beats for the likes of Piff Gang, Itsnate and Denzel Himself, it’s safe to say that Reid provides the jams for the masses. EDITS + BEATS VOL.2 is an 8-track project of JD. Reid’s reworks and remixes featuring his fresh versions of well-known tracks from your favourite artists; 21 Savage, Missy Elliot, Schoolboy Q & Kendrick Lamar to name a few. With an optional price tag this release is a real gem and shouldn’t be overlooked. JD. Reid’s ability to breath a new lease of life into a vintage track is a real talent. Showing no fear when leaving the safety of his hip hop roots and taking tenuous steps into the unchartered baile funk waters. The risk pays off and sounds fantastic. An excellent project that I suggest you download & check out.

Of course, there’s so much more to tell you. We could get into the current online tussles & feuds. Too Poor vs Lil Peep or my feelings on the recent lacklustre Jay Electronica offering, but I won’t. There is though, just enough space to recommend you to find me on Soundcloud where I’ll be uploading a playlist for your listening pleasure under the name FORMENPRG. So, tell your friends and spread the word. Check out the formenprg.tumblr and the Soundcloud account under the same name for juicy tidbits. There’s a new FOR MEN contributor in town!